Articles
Jesus Christ Vs. John Wesley
John and Charles Wesley were educated at home by their mother, in an intensely disciplined course of study. This rigorous method of learning would stay with the boys their whole lives, and it would guide their religious path.
While enrolled as students at Oxford, the Wesley brothers organized a student society which met daily from six to nine a.m. for prayers, Bible reading, and exhortation in Christian living. Members were encouraged to pray for several minutes in every waking hour of the day, to observe communion every Lord's day, and to fast twice a week. This society was called the “Holy Club” and later the “Oxford Methodists” by students as mocking titles, but Wesley took these names as a compliment (Wesley, John. “The Letters of John Wesley”). In fact, John Wesley considered it a blessing to receive the scorn of fellow students for his rigid devotion to piety (The Works of the Rev. John Wesley. J. & J. Harper. 1827. p. 108).
In 1739, John Wesley organized the Methodist Society in England after spending a few troubled years in America. He was an ordained priest in the Church of England, but his beliefs were increasingly at odds with that denomination. He appointed laymen to preach prompting the Church of England to brand Wesley and his Methodist preachers as heretics and zealots.
In 1743, Wesley established the “General Rules” that would govern discipline, order in worship, and methods of instruction. Later, these General Rules would become the backbone of the Methodist Disci-pline. In 1744, John and Charles Wesley organized the first Methodist Conference in London.
Errors of Methodism:
John Wesley differed with John Calvin and other reformers on key points of doctrine. He believed that God's election was not limited to a chosen few, but was available for all men. He believed that men were free to choose to accept or to reject God's grace. He believed that John Calvin's predestination itself was not Biblical. However, this does not mean that Methodism is closer to the truth than Calvinism. In fact, on most points, Methodism is as wrong as Calvinism.
The Methodist Church has the wrong head. According to the Methodist Discipline, John Wesley is the founder: “The Methodist Church is a church of Christ in which ‘the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered.' This church is a great Protestant body, though it did not come directly out of the Reformation but had its origin within the Church of England. Its founder is John Wesley.” (pg. 3). According to the Bible, Jesus Christ, not Wesley is the head of the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23).
Methodism began in the wrong place and at the wrong time. Methodism started in England in 1739, but the church of Christ began in Jerusalem on Pentecost, A.D. 33 (Acts 2:47).
Methodism wears the wrong name. Followers of John Wesley were called “Methodists.” Accord-ing to the Bible disciples are called Christians (Acts 11:26). There is no other name given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
The Methodist Discipline claims to be inspired of God. The Methodist Discipline makes the unbelievable claim that it came directly by revelation of the Holy Spirit: “We have therefore expected that the Discipline would be administered, not merely as a legal document, but as a revelation of the Holy Spirit working in and through our people” (Page 1). The Bible destroys this arrogant claim! Paul said that every scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable for doctrine, correction, and instruction in righteousness, and that a man of God can be complete with them (2 Timothy 3:16). This was written 1700 years before John Wesley! Peter said that God's divine power had given all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:4). Again, this was written 1700 years before Wesley. It must also be noted that the Methodist Discipline often contradicts the Bible. That means the Methodist Discipline is the doctrines and commandments of men (Matthew 15:7-9), and it is “another gospel” which condemns its preachers and followers (Galatians 1:6-9).
Note: It is an irony that the same book (The Methodist Discipline) contradicts itself four pages after its claim of inspiration with the following words: “Methodism created a book of its own, its Discipline” (pg. 5). Which is it, Methodists? Did the book come from God or from a man?
Methodist salvation is by faith only. There is a very famous quote in the Methodist Discipline which says: “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most whole-some doctrine, and very full of comfort” (p. 40). Another statement in the Methodist Discipline is just as direct: “We are justified by faith only” (Page 27). However, the Bible teaches that salvation is by works of obedience and not by faith only (James 2:24). Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:8-9). The conditions of pardon that must be met by those who would be saved include: Hearing and faith (Romans 10:17; John 8:24), repentance (Acts 17:30), confession of faith (Romans 10:10), and baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
Methodist baptism can be sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. The Methodist Discipline leaves the so-called “mode” of baptism up to the candidate: “Let every adult person, and the parents of every child to be baptized, have the choice of sprinkling, pouring, or immersion” (pg. 470). Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that baptism is always immersion. The word baptism is a Greek word that is anglicized in spelling (baptisma), which means immersion. Further-more, please remember that John baptized in Aenon, “because there was much water there” (John 3:23). When Jesus was baptized by John, He “came up immediately from the water” (Matthew 3:16). When the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized, “he went down into the water” (Acts 8:38). Also, Paul said we are “buried with Him in baptism into His death” (Romans 6:4). Not once instance of sprinkling or pouring for baptism exists in the New Testament. Therefore, the Methodist practice is false.
Methodists baptize babies as well as adults. Here is a quote from a Methodist website: “Question: Isn't it better to wait until children can decide for themselves whether or not to be baptized? Answer: No. We no more wait for our children to decide about being in the family of God than we wait for them to decide if they would like to be a part of our human family. As parents, we make many decisions — in matters of health, safety, education, for example — for our children. Of course, they may later reject what we have done for them. But, this possibility does not relieve us of the responsibility to do all that we can for them spiritually, as we do in other aspects of their lives. (see: “http://www.marionmethodist.org/about/baptism-children). However, in the Bible, people who were baptized were those who had sins that needed removing (Acts 2:38). They were people who could hear the word of God and believe it (Romans 10:17; John 8:24). They were people who could “gladly receive the word” (Acts 2:41). They were people who could believe and choose to be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36). None of these things are true of babies.
Methodists teach that baptism is not essential to salvation. A noted Methodist author named Cullen T. Carter wrote: “The forgiveness of sins and the new life must come before the administration of baptism . . . The Methodist Church regards water baptism as a church ordinance, and not essential to salvation.” (Methodist Doctrinal Beliefs, Pages 9, 15). Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that it is essential! Jesus Himself said that “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, he who does not believe shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Peter boldly wrote that baptism saves us (1 Pet-er 3:21). Paul said that baptism is how one gets into Christ (Galatians 3:27). And, Paul said we are buried with Him in baptism into His death (Romans 6:3-4). His blood was shed in His death!
Methodist churches employ instrumental music in worship. They even have an official ceremony for the installation of an organ to be used in worship: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we dedicate this organ to the praise of Almighty God.” (Methodist Discipline, Page 550). Some of my earliest memories from my days as a music student in college were those of playing in various Christmas and Easter programs as a hired trumpeter. However, regarding music in worship, the Bible could not be clearer: God requires vocal music only (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13).
Methodist churches are governed by a “General Conference” which is overseen by a presiding bishop (Book of Discipline, Article 46). This governing body is responsible for making laws that are bound upon local Methodist Churches. Where in the Bible can we read about any such governing body? Paul warned the Ephesian elders about apostasy that would arise from the corruption of the eldership (Acts 20:30). In the Bible every church was autonomous, with elders and deacons in every church (Philippians 1:1). Elders, not a “general conference” nor a presiding bishop, watch for the souls of the saints (Hebrews 13:17).
We have seen, in this study, that Methodism, as old as it is, is still a “Johnny-come-lately religion.” It is from men not God. Will you not follow the Lord, instead of John Wesley?
